A5011475402- Landslides and related hazards
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Winter Sports Injuries and Performance
- Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes
- Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Climate change and permafrost
- Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Rock Mechanics and Modeling
- Dam Engineering and Safety
- Geotechnical and Geomechanical Engineering
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Interactions
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Soil and Unsaturated Flow
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Seismology and Earthquake Studies
- Human Pose and Action Recognition
- Video Surveillance and Tracking Methods
- Geological Modeling and Analysis
- Drilling and Well Engineering
ETH Zurich
2018-2024
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
2021-2024
University of Bern
2024
Geological Institute
2023
University of British Columbia
2014-2018
University of Florida
2006
Rock avalanches are high velocity flows of fragmented rock that can dramatically alter landscapes, and impact people infrastructure far from their source. These catastrophic events have been studied for over a century, however, consensus regarding the mechanism(s) govern motion has yet to emerge. This work details results back-analysis 45 avalanche case histories using semi-empirical runout model simulates 3D terrain. simulations account topographic effects bulk basal shear resistance...
Abstract This paper presents a detailed analysis of dramatic rock slope acceleration that occurred in fall 2016 at the Moosfluh Landslide, located glacier tongue Great Aletsch Glacier (Switzerland). The was unanticipated and exposed valley bottom an adjacent damned lake to high risk. active deep‐seated gravitational deformation (DSGSD) controlled primarily by deep block‐flexural toppling. In 2013, highly accurate displacement monitoring system developed installed surroundings Glacier,...
Abstract Past exploration missions have revealed that the lunar topography is eroded through mass wasting processes such as rockfalls and other types of landslides, similar to Earth. We analyzed an archive more than 2 million high-resolution images using AI big data-driven approach created first global map 136.610 rockfall events. Using this map, we show primarily driven by impacts impact-induced fracture networks. further identify a large number currently unknown clusters, potentially...
The potential for discarded electronic devices to be classified as toxicity characteristic (TC) hazardous waste under provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) using leaching procedure (TCLP) was examined. regulatory TCLP method two modified methods (in which were disassembled leached in or near entirety) utilized. Lead only element found leach at concentrations greater than its TC limit (5 mg/L). Thirteen different types tested either standard versions. Every device...
Abstract The 2013 Bingham Canyon Mine rock avalanches represent one of the largest cumulative landslide events in recorded U.S. history and provide a unique opportunity to test remote analysis techniques for characterization. Here we combine aerial photogrammetry surveying, topographic reconstruction, numerical runout modeling, broadband seismic infrasound data extract salient details dynamics evolution multiphase event. Our results reveal intact source volume 52 Mm 3 , which mobilized two...
Abstract Surging debris flows are among the most destructive natural hazards, and elucidating interaction between coarse‐grained fronts trailing liquefied slurry is key to understanding these flows. Here, we describe application of high‐resolution high‐frequency 3D LiDAR data explore dynamics a flow at Illgraben, Switzerland. The measurements facilitate automated detection features on surface, construction depth velocity fields through time. Measured surface velocities (2–3 m s −1 ) faster...
This paper describes investigation, testing, analysis, and slope history used to determine the two-phase failure mechanism involved in 2014 landslide near Oso, Washington. The first phase involves a slide mass located above frequent landslides lower portion of extends crest. had large potential energy, which moved downslope, pushed water-filled colluvium that accumulated along toe across valley, resulting it flowing almost 1.5 km. Evacuation Phase I left upper unbuttressed oversteepened,...
The pre-historic rock avalanche at Avalanche Lake was a spectacularly mobile that resulted in the largest documented runup of any landslide on earth. runout 200 Mm 3 event complex and three-dimensional process created three distinct depositional lobes. There is some controversy as to whether presence glacial ice played an important role dynamics this event. To investigate hypothesis advanced, numerical model used reconstruct It found conventional able reproduce bulk characteristics event,...
Abstract. Advancing technologies to harvest deep geothermal energy has seen backlashes related unacceptable levels of induced seismic hazard during hydraulic stimulations. A thorough analysis before these operations recently become standard practice in the last decade. Additionally, more process understanding underlying causes seismicity as well novel approaches develop geomechanical reservoirs are being explored controlled underground laboratory experiments world-wide. Here, we present a...
LunarLeaper is a mission concept designed to robotically explore subsurface lava tubes on the Moon. Lunar pits, steep-walled collapse features, are thought be connected such tube systems and more than 300 have been identified through remote sensing. These natural structures hold immense value for exploration scientific investigations, because they offer protection from radiation, micrometeorites, harsh temperature fluctuations lunr surface as such, proposed possible future human habitation....
Rock avalanches are large volume landslides composed of flowing fragments rock that can reach velocities in excess 50 m/s, impact areas, and seriously threaten the safety people infrastructure. Numerical models play a crucial role forecasting hazard risk associated with avalanches. The Orin3D model, based on equivalent fluid concept, be used to simulate avalanche motion, however it is unknown what best model parameterization for forecasting.  However, implemented run graphical...
Debris flows are destructive mixtures of water and sediments. In mountain regions, debris a relevant hazard as they threaten people infrastructure. A critical yet understudied debris-flow characteristic surge waves, which can occur throughout event. These waves travel faster than the bulk flow often determine maximum discharge impact pressure, with important implications for assessment mitigation. Although wave kinematics have been studied experimentally theoretically, high-quality field...
Mass wasting events on the Moon have been documented since Apollo era and are distributed across its surface. On Earth, morphology runout distance of landslides, particularly flowlike landslides such as debris mud flows, strongly influenced by mobilized soil bedrock properties, notably water content.Despite absence widespread, liquid surface Moon, previous surveys identified numerous lunar flow Moon’s equatorial regions (± 60° latitude), termed “granular...
Alpine environments are shaped by slow-moving mass movements that can accelerate suddenly, potentially leading to catastrophic failures threaten human life, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Recent events which occurred without recognized prior warning signs highlight the need for systematic regional-scale monitoring, aimed at improving our understanding of landslide dynamics associated risks. Spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) provides high-resolution surface...
Debris flows are extremely rapid, flow-like landslides composed of fine and coarser-grained components, boulders, woody debris as well water. They characterized by large impact forces long runout distances one the most dangerous types mass movements in mountainous regions. In past, researchers have mainly measured velocity front or distinct surges. However, spatio-temporal distribution throughout a cross-section remains largely unknown. Quantifying horizontal vertical profiles is required...
Rock slope toppling typically occurs in slopes with steep, deep-seated discontinuities and involves large unstable rock masses that may transform into catastrophic secondary failures. Understanding the long-term weakening processes of such remains challenging due to limited subsurface access lack continuous deformation monitoring under diverse external forcings. To address these limitations, this study implements a comprehensive, tunnel-based multi-parameter system zone intersected by first...
In May 2023 the village of Brienz/ Brinzauls, Switzerland was evacuated due to high landslide risk, drawing national and international attention.  On June 15, 2023, a significant collapse occurred at site, with volume 2 Mm³.   This followed prolonged acceleration phase section an old, partially active deep seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD).  The Insel compartment is composed ductile clay-schist its base, overlaid by porous rauhwacke...
This paper describes and explains the spectacular mobility of 2014 Oso landslide, which was cause its fatal consequences. A geomorphic interpretation site conditions is used to reconstruct landslide failure mechanism. Two numerical models are conduct an inverse runout analysis. The implement a newly defined rheology appropriate for liquefied soils. It shown that this occurred in two phases, characterized by different material strengths. Although temporal sequencing phases remains somewhat...
Abstract Rock avalanches can be a significant hazard to communities located in mountainous areas. Probabilistic predictions of the 3D impact area these events are crucial for assessing rock avalanche risk. Semi-empirical, calibration-based numerical runout models one tool that used make predictions. When doing so, uncertainties resulting from both noisy calibration data and uncertain governing movement mechanism(s) must accounted for. In this paper, back-analysis database 31 case histories...
Abstract It has been widely recognised that the degree of soil wetness before precipitation events can be decisive for whether or not shallow rainfall-induced landslides occur. While there are methods to measure and/or model in complex topography, they often exhibit limitations spatial temporal resolution, hindering their application regional landside initiation modelling. In this study, we address need high-resolution predictions initial saturation rainfall by employing data-driven linear...
Most natural rock slope failures result from long-term strength degradation. It is often hypothesized that glacial retreat leads to enhanced progressive damage accumulation in adjacent slopes, due mechanical unloading and changes the thermal hydraulic boundary conditions. However, direct observations of subsurface processes a subject are rare. In this paper, we present design, implementation, performance new borehole monitoring system installed on fractured crystalline located beside glacier...